3D ARMORED DIVISION ARTILLERY HISTORICAL SUMMARY ODS PHASES III

File: 970815_sep96_decls15_0007.txt
Page: 0007
Total Pages: 11

Subject = 3D ARMORED DIVISION ARTILLERY HISTORICAL SUMMARY ODS PHASES III

Parent Organization = ARCENT

Unit = VII CORPS

Folder Title = VII CORPS ARTY-BOOK 3-COMMANDER REPT-TAB I-3D AD ARTY HIST SUMM PHASES II-VI VOL 17C

Document Number = 3

Box ID = BX000313

The Division encountered enemy contact in the vicinity of Phase Line
Bullet. In the 2D Brigade zone, at 1600 hours, the 4-B CAV made first
contact with a forward screen or observation post composed of a infantry
troops in bunkers, a BRDM and ZSU 23-4. This complex was located forward
(2KM) of a thin line of tanks and mechanized infantry. 4-E32 FA occupied
firing positions at 1615 hours. Simultaneously, 4-8 CAV destroyed the
tracked vehicles, and continued movement '-Forward. 4-82 FA flew a MET,
transmitted the data to the battalion FDC, and was prepared -For firing at
1630 hours. The Division Artillery HQ conducted a hasty occupation at
grid PU 608172, oriented radars, and also flew a MET. The 2D Brigade
continued killing targets for the next 20 minutes. The 2D Brigade and
4-82 FA moved forward. A few minutes later, 3-20 FA also displaced and
moved. At 1646 hours additional enemy contact forced the artillery to
engage a series of bunker complexes. The artillery battalions then moved
forward and 4-82 occupied along the 75 North/South grid line, and 3-20 FA
occupied along the 67 North/South grid line. At 1945 hours, 4-82 FA
expended 20 rounds of DPICM and destroyed three trucks. Later at 2049
hours they fired 48 rounds of HE at a enemy mortar position. Secondary
explosions were observed by a FIST. By 2200 hours, the 2D Brigade had
repositioned, and the 4-82 FA and 3-20 FA both fired a series of targets
commencing at 2220 hours. In addition the Q-36 radar generated targets
which were cleared and then fired. Enemy indirect fire systems did not
continue. The battle then turned to a direct +ire engagement. 4-e2 FA
fired seven missions and 276 rounds.

In the I Bde zone, 2-3 FA travelled with one battery forward with 3-5
CAV, the lead element, and two batteries back. The Gunner battalion
emplaced at the -Following locations at 1630 hours: A battery PU 661140, B
battery PU 702142, and C battery PU 663130. At 1700 hours, 2-29 FA
emplaced with a center of mass at PU 667160. At 1704 hours A battery 2-3
FA fired the first round, an illumination projectile with a 100 meter
height of burst. Approximately 15 minutes later the 2-29 5A occupied
positions. Both battalions continued to fire in support. 2-3 FA fired
missions at 2020 and 2030 hours against bunkers and dismounted infantry.
They used a combination of DPICM, HE and white phosphorus (WP). High
explosive and white phosphorus shells in combination proved effective
against the bunkers. At about the same time, 2-29 FA massed with 2-3 FA
and fired DPICM against the bunker complexes At 2305 hours, 2 LT Bush
(B/3-5 CAV FIST) called for and received a Copperhead round which was
delivered by A battery, 2-3 FA. The Copperhead round destroyed an enemy
bunker. Later in the evening, the attached Q-36 radar detected an enemy
artillery position firing and three battalions, the 2-3 FA, 2-29 FA, and
1-27 FA massed fires to silence the enemy artillery.

Due to uncertainty about the division southern boundary, the IST
brigade established a boundary "north" of the Division boundary with I ID
beyond which they did not fire. This was done because it was believed
that -Friendly troops were to the front of the Brigade in the Southern part
of the sector. However it was unclear who they were, and the new
"boundary" served to prevent fratricide. However, the Gunners still
executed 15 -Fire missions and fired 615 rounds.

During the brigade engagements, the 1-27 FA engaged deep targets.
A/40 FA fired one mission and expended 12 rockets on a GCT battery which
was detected by the Q-37 radar attached to 4-82 FA.